'Very lucky' escape for family after Bundoran house fire

A family of four, including a visiting relative who raised the alarm, were lucky to escape a house fire in the West End Bundoran, which caused extensive damage in the early hours of Monday morning.
It is understood that there were four occupants in the premises at the time, a mother and father, their teenage daughter and a visiting female relative.
Local Cllr Michael McMahon said that while the occupants had escaped uninjured they were still in a state of shock and were currently staying being looked after by locals and friends in the area.
He said:

“The fire took place at Pearse Drive in the West End of the town at a time when most people were sleeping and at their most vulnerable. It was very late Sunday night and into the early hours of Monday morning.
“Fortunately, they managed to get out of the house before the fire took hold, but they have lost nearly everything. They were very lucky to escape unscated."

Prevented spread of fire
“While the premises were badly damaged, I would like to highly commend the local fire brigades from Bundoran and Ballyshannon who attended the scene very rapidly as did gardai and ambulance services.
“Their quick actions prevented the spread of the fire to the row of premises adjoining the property that went on fire and which could very easily have spread.
“This family is very lucky and I understand that the alarm was raised by a visiting relative. It could have been much worse. As a community we are so very grateful that there was no loss of human life.”
Reports indicate that the fire had taken hold and was well alight and the occupants had already escaped, around 1.30am, by the time fire personnel arrived.
Other emergency services were also quickly on the scene, where ambulance personnel gave immediate assistance to those that had escaped from the house fire.

Family pet
A family pet dog was also rescued from the premises by the fire services and received oxygen, after suffering the ill effects of smoke inhalation. A second dog is still missing.
The fire is being treated as accidental at this juncture and efforts are now being made to get the family rehomed with assistance ranging from Donegal County Council and St Vincent dePaul to other local offers of help.
Fire crews remained in situ at the premises until after 5am to monitor potential hotspots.
The row of houses along Pearse Drive all have flat roofs and are understood to have a concrete roof construction, which likely prevented even more damage to the roof of the house and adjoining properties.